EU Regulations Won't Stop Malaysia's Palm Oil Producers, Malaysian PM Demands Greater Collaboration

KUALA LUMPUR: On Thursday, Malaysia urged palm oil producing countries to work together in order to counter the impact of recently enacted European Union legislation that limits the use of palm oil-based fuels. The EU's decision was met with criticism from Indonesia and Malaysia, two main producers of the commodity. The law seeks to reduce deforestation by preventing the sale of products associated with it across the 27-country bloc.

Minister Fadillah Yusof of Malaysia has called on the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), which is a coalition led by both Indonesia and Malaysia, to join forces against the revised EU standards and United States claims that palm oil is unsustainable. He has urged members to oppose "baseless allegations" in an effort to protect the edible oil industry.

"This will mean that we will have to be more coordinated in our efforts in conveying our stand and stance on policy matters that will affect the socio-economic wellbeing of our respective countries," Fadillah, who is also deputy Prime Minister, told a seminar.

Minister Fadillah Yusof of Malaysia has recently urged members of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) to join forces against the revised EU standards and United States claims that palm oil is unsustainable. This Council, which is led by both Indonesia and Malaysia, aims to protect the edible oil industry by countering baseless allegations made by the EU and US. Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim have agreed to “fight discrimination against palm oil” while also taking action to strengthen collaboration through CPOPC. By combining their efforts in this way, they are hoping to create a unified front that will help protect the industry from unfair trade restrictions and regulations.